“We’re in a critical year”, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on
Wednesday, stating Iran must be stopped and an agreement with the
Palestinians needs to be reached.

Speaking to military reporters, Barak said he was pleased Israel had
convinced the world that Iranian nuclear capability wasn’t only an
Israeli problem, but added that sanctions probably wouldn’t stop the
process. 2012 will be a crucial year, he stated.

Israel is waiting to see the results of the upcoming meeting between
Iran and the world powers before taking action, he said, “It’s not a
matter of weeks, but also not a matter of years.”

“There are signs of growing unrest among Palestinians in the West
Bank,” Barak said, explaining that maintaining the relative quiet
also depends on Israel and its willingness to aid the Palestinian
Authority. Israel has “a strategic interest” in establishing two
states for two nations, he said, adding that the development of
infrastructure is important to the process.